Growthpoint Properties took top honours with the overall IPD Direct Property Investment Award 2014 at the 12th IPD South Africa Property Investment Conference last night at the Sandton Convention Centre.

South Africa’s largest listed property group, Growthpoint, secured the overall (all sectors) award as well as the award for retail portfolio performance. The awards are given for highest annualised total return over three years, based on un-geared property data for the funds measured by IPD. Growthpoint achieved a 16.6% total return across its entire property portfolio, compared with an IPD overall benchmark return of 13.9%.

In terms of retail performance, Growthpoint’s portfolio delivered an 18.9% total return, outperforming the IPD retail benchmark of 14.5%.

Stephan le Roux, Divisional Director – Retail Portfolio of Growthpoint Properties, left, with Stan Garrun, Executive Director and Head of IPD South Africa, at the IPD Direct Property Investment Award 2014 last night. Growthpoint took top honours as the overall winner.

Attacq Limited, listed on the JSE as a capital growth fund, won the award for the top performance in the office sector. It notched up the highest returns for office property at a 16.0% total return, which was well above the IPD benchmark of 12.2%.

Metropolitan Life Properties won the award for best industrial property portfolio performance. It achieved top returns in this sector with a 21.3% total return, substantially outperforming the IPD benchmark return of 15.4%.

The influential annual IPD Direct Property Investment Awards recognise consistent top performance of the listed and unlisted property funds per sector in the IPD database. This year’s awards are based on annualised results for the three years ending December 2013.

Stan Garrun, Executive Director and Head of South Africa, IPD, said: “The IPD Awards are aimed at showcasing superior performance and illustrating the fundamental value of investing in commercial property. Congratulations to the top performers. ”

Garrun added: “Most importantly, this not a competition. Absolutely no subjective judgements are made and no qualitative criteria are considered. Results are based on an entirely numeric calculation (total return), aggregating performance bottom up, asset by asset.”

The overall IPD database covers 63% of all institutional and professionally managed property in South Africa.

“We believe that and quality data underlies transparency, good systems and governance. It supports informed investment decisions based on reliable facts and confidence in the sector,” notes Garrun.